The drinking gourd referred to the constellation known as the big dipper which guided them northward along waterways and mountain passes. Follow the drinking gourd by jeanette jeanette scholastic. Richie havens follow the drinking gourd lyrics genius. Follow the drinking gourd is a book about historical fiction, written and illustrated by jeanette winter. The river bank makes a very good road, the dead trees show you the way, left foot. The true story of follow the drinking gourd casandersdotnet. The underground railroad meant freedom for many in the years before emancipation, and it had a map. Follow the drinking gourd was supposedly used by engineers in the underground railroad to direct slaves to freedom.
After listening to the song and hearing the story of peg leg joe, try to answer the following questions. By following the directions in the song, the drinking gourd, taught to them by an old sailor, runaway slaves move north along the underground railroad to free teachers lessons and ideas. Feb 24, 2012 follow the drinking gourd the folk song that led to freedom duration. These directions then enabled fleeing slaves to make their way north from mobile, alabama to the ohio river and freedom. Other verses go into greater detail about following the river banks and which way to go as they head north.
Follow the drinking gourd picture book about how slaves used the north star and the big dipper drinking gourd constellation in the underground railroad by jeanette winter cobblestone a history. Folklore has it that slaves in the united states used it as a. Follow the drinking gourd kindle edition by winter. This book activity guide is designed to go with the book follow the drinking gourd, story and pictures by jeanette winter. This engagingly illustrated picture book tells the story of peg leg joe. Em now the river ends between two hills, follow the drinking gourd. It inspired a wellreceived novel of the same name by the southern writer, frances gaither, in 1940.
Theres another river on the other side follow the drinking gourd. According to legend, the song was used by a conductor of the underground railroad. This engagingly illustrated picture book tells the story of peg leg joe, a white one. This level 3 i can read book is a captivating firstperson historical fiction account of the underground railroad, narrated by tommy, a ten yearold quaker boy. By following the directions in the song, the drinking gourd, taught to them by an old sailor, runaway. They will also use a website that will allow them to. The river ends between two hills, follow the drinking gourd.
The drinking gourd song was supposedly used by an underground railroad operative to encode escape instructions and a map. In code, the drinking gourd stood for the big dipper, the wellknown constellation which it resembles. Left foot, peg foot, traveling on, follow the drinking gourd. The one black boy is following the drinking gourd big dipper to find his way north to freedom. For the old man is waiting for to carry you to freedom, if you follow the drinking gourd.
Fifth graders complete a short unit on slavery and the u. Minneapolis planetarium amazing stargazing activity book follow the drinking gourd 7 ritter planetariumbrooks observatory. Students will listen to and read the lyrics of follow the drinking gourd, a song that directed slaves on how to use the stars to navigate their way north. The river bank makes a mighty good road, dead trees will show you the way, and the. Follow the drinking gourd by jeanette winter, paperback. Follow the drinking gourd is an american folk song from the 1920s. Wonderful this book would be wonderful for children with background info from teachers or parents. The slaves have escaped from south carolina and are following the drinking gourd which tommy knows as the big dipper north to canada. Tommy learns that his father has hidden the family in the barn until he can take them across the river. Hidden in the lyrics of follow the drinking gourd were directions for following the underground railroad, the covert trail by which black slaves could escape north to eventual freedom. For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom. The american folksong follow the drinking gourd was first published in 1928. The drinking gourd is another name for the big dipper asterism.
But there were no recordings, even though the lomax book was wellknown to. Traditional african song follow the drinking gourd. Folklore has it that slaves in the united states used it as a point of reference so they would not get lost. Follow the drinking gourd picture book about how slaves used the north star and the big dipper drinking gourd constellation in the underground railroad by jeanette winter cobblestone a history magazine for young people. The intended age group for this book is primary intermediate.
Aquilas drinking gourd, pamela dell, tradition books, 2003, excelsior, mn. Written by peg leg joe it is an ingenious song that was taught from slave to slave, slave camp to slave camp, describing how and when to get to freedom canada. The teacher will need a copy of jeanette winters book follow the drinking gourd. Reading excerpts from the book will graphically illustrate to the students how slaves traveled on slave ships, and provide accurate historical information on the issue of slavery in america. An old white sailor named peg leg joe wanted to help free the slaves. April 1981 edition entitled highlights of the civil war 18611865. In striving to enrich the lives of all readers, teachingbooks supports the first amendment and celebrates the right to read. A couple, their son, and two others make their escape by following the songs directions. While the song may possibly refer to some lost fragment of history, the origin and context remain a mystery. Legend has it that a man called peg leg joe taught slaves the song to help them escape to freedom, and they used the big dipper and the. The drinking gourd rise and shine i can read level 3.
They follow it, for it always points to the north star, which can guide them north as they travel at night, the safest time. The river bank makes a mighty good road, dead trees will show you the way, and the left foot, peg foot, traveling on, just you follow the drinking gourd. While working for plantation owners, peg leg joe teaches the slaves a song about the drinking gourd the big dipper. With beautiful, simple prose that folds in historical facts about slavery and the civil war, this book makes this important period of american history accessible to beginning readers. Many families use fiar for all but the grammarreading and math, and others use it in conjunction with other resources. Follow the drinking gourd is a book featured in five in a row, a literaturebased unit study curriculum. Follow the drinking gourd childrens books read aloud youtube. The title of this inspiring story is the title of an important folk song from a troubled part of our nations history. Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd for the old man is awaitin to carry you to freedom follow the drinking gourd when the sun goes back. For the old man is awaiting for to carry you to freedom if you follow the drinking gourd.
Follow the drinking gourd postvisit packet ritter planetariumbrooks observatory mail stop 1 the univ. This book can give children the scaffolding they need to begin to learn about such a large and complex topic. They read and analyze the book, follow the drinking gourd, compose their own secret song, complete an abraham lincoln crossword puzzle, and dramatize a historical. Wed love you to buy this book, and hope you find this page convenient in locating a place of purchase. More on genius follow the drinking gourd track info. Legend has it that a man called peg leg joe taught slaves the song to help them escape to freedom, and they used the big dipper and the north star to guide the way. They are following the drinking gourd, a constellation in the northern sky that points the way to freedom. According to legend, the song was used by a conductor of the underground railroad, called peg leg joe, to guide some fugitive slaves. When tommys father comes home, they hide the runaways in a hay wagon and drive them to the river. Follow the drinking gourd great falls school music.
G d em bm theres another river on the other side, em bm em follow the drinking gourd. Follow the drinking gourd when you lift the big dipper sheet by bringing it forward, you find two maps underground railroad route and the great lakes. Rich paintings interpret the strong story in a clean, primitive style. Traditional african song follow the drinking gourd lyrics.
See more ideas about underground railroad, five in a row and black history. I used this book after reading a simple biography about harriet tubman and watching some utubes about the folk song follow the drinking gourd with an adult literacy class. Follow the drinking gourd paperback by jeanette winter a great story of following directions if you look at its simplest form. Chorus follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd for the old man is awaitin to carry you to freedom follow the drinking gourd. The river bed makes a mighty fine road, dead trees to show you the way and its left foot, peg foot, traveling on follow the drinking gourd. Roger mcguinn follow the drinking gourd lyrics genius. While working for plantation owners, peg leg joe teaches the. The riverbank makes a very good road, the dead trees will show you the way. Follow the drinking gourd is a book about historical fiction, written and. Mar 22, 20 follow the drinking gourd is a story of slavery and escape in the mid1800s. Have students study the faces of the runaway slaves as illustrated in the book. Looking through the lenses of history this book has a lot of appeal, it brings. Follow the drinking gourd by jeanette winter goodreads. Follow the drinking gourd by jeanette winter scholastic.
A copy of the song, follow the drinking gourd, you can play for the students. Rich paintings interpret the strong story in a clean, primitive style enhanced by bold colors. Looking through the lenses of history this book has a lot of appeal, it brings to the for front the movement of the underground rail road and makes it into a story of a single family. He would help the slave owner around the plantation but then at night he would teach the slaves who worked on the plantation a song that would lead them to freedom. The last page of the book contains the lyrics and music to the folk song following the drinking gourd. A em follow the drinking gourd, a em follow the drinking gourd, g d em bm for the old man is a waitin for to carry you to freedom, em bm em follow the drinking gourd. Legend has it that a man called peg leg joe taught slaves the song to help them escape to freedom, and they used the big. Follow the drinking gourdafrican american spiritual. Follow the drinking gourd discussion guide scholastic. The river bank makes a very good road, the dead trees show you the way, left foot, peg foot, traveling on follow the drinking gourd. It was reprinted in 1934 in american ballads and folk songs by john a. I think this book is perfect to start children learning about slavery and the migration of blacks to the north.
Follow the drinking gourd is an african american folk song first published in 1928. The narrative then focuses on one slave family, molly, james and isaiah, about to be broken up through the sale of their father. Follow the drinking gourd is a historical fiction book about slavery. Follow the drinking gourd kindle edition by winter, jeanette. Follow the drinking gourd book authorstream presentation. Follow the drinking gourd the folk song that led to freedom duration. They read and analyze the book, follow the drinking gourd, compose their own secret song, complete an abraham lincoln crossword.
The drinking gourd itself refers to the big dipper constellation, and each subsequent line refers to a location and or time of year. For the old man is awaiting for to carry to freedom if you follow the drinking. Many families use fiar for all but the grammarreading and math, and others use it in conjunction with. The old man is awaitin for to carry you to freedom. Follow the drinking gourd traditional spiritual sung by. The river ends between two hills follow the drinking gourd. The teacher will need a copy of jeanette winters book follow the drinking gourd optional resource. That map is a song called follow the drinking gourd.
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